MindManager for Mac... thoughts?
Started by Stephen Zeoli
on 9/9/2009
Stephen Zeoli
9/9/2009 7:43 pm
Hi,
I just got an e-mail offer from MindJet to get a copy of MindManger 7 for the Mac for $129, which is a tempting price. I am wondering what folks think of the Mac version of MM.
Thank you.
Steve Z.
I just got an e-mail offer from MindJet to get a copy of MindManger 7 for the Mac for $129, which is a tempting price. I am wondering what folks think of the Mac version of MM.
Thank you.
Steve Z.
Lucas
9/9/2009 11:51 pm
Yes, I heard they are coming out with version 8 soon, so I guess that's the reason for the discount. I only have the 30-day trial, but here a couple thoughts based on my experience so far.
In most respects MindManager seems to be best in class, but I find it unsatisfactory for outlining because in the Outline view it only shows as much as will fit in one line of a given item. In other words, if you write a paragraph as an outline item, you won't see all the text unless you switch to Map view. Of course, that's what people use Notes for, but I like to be able to write text within the outline structure. I seem to remember coming across other Mac mind mapping apps that didn't have this problem, but I don't remember specifically at the moment.
That said, I am finding MM7 for Mac indispensable for transferring outlines between Microsoft Word and OPML. It imports Word outlines nicely, and the OPML export is unique to the Mac version. I think Matchware and ConceptDRAW products may be able to do this as well.
While I'm on the subject of Word outlines---it is now possible to turn OPML into a Word outline using OmniOutliner, which can export in .docs format. I find this handy for my writing projects, and at the moment I'm doing my writing right in Omni (which I enjoy for a number of reasons), knowing that I can switch it over to Word relatively easily.
Lucas
In most respects MindManager seems to be best in class, but I find it unsatisfactory for outlining because in the Outline view it only shows as much as will fit in one line of a given item. In other words, if you write a paragraph as an outline item, you won't see all the text unless you switch to Map view. Of course, that's what people use Notes for, but I like to be able to write text within the outline structure. I seem to remember coming across other Mac mind mapping apps that didn't have this problem, but I don't remember specifically at the moment.
That said, I am finding MM7 for Mac indispensable for transferring outlines between Microsoft Word and OPML. It imports Word outlines nicely, and the OPML export is unique to the Mac version. I think Matchware and ConceptDRAW products may be able to do this as well.
While I'm on the subject of Word outlines---it is now possible to turn OPML into a Word outline using OmniOutliner, which can export in .docs format. I find this handy for my writing projects, and at the moment I'm doing my writing right in Omni (which I enjoy for a number of reasons), knowing that I can switch it over to Word relatively easily.
Lucas
Lucas
9/9/2009 11:53 pm
Sorry, I meant to write ".docx" format.
Bernhard
9/10/2009 9:23 am
I use MM 7 for Win an I'm very satisfied. So I gave MM 7 for Mac a try an was disappointed. MM 7 Win is very scriptable and there a many usefull add-ins.
What bothered me most on Mac was the "Auto-Layout" of the branches. Sometimes it is very handy (e.g. presentations) but most of the time I would have chosen to drag branches manually and wanted them to stay at the desired position.
For now I'm testing NovaMind and it seems I'll stay with it.
What bothered me most on Mac was the "Auto-Layout" of the branches. Sometimes it is very handy (e.g. presentations) but most of the time I would have chosen to drag branches manually and wanted them to stay at the desired position.
For now I'm testing NovaMind and it seems I'll stay with it.
Hugh
9/10/2009 9:25 am
Steve
Version 6 of Curio has just been released with some enhancements to the mind-map function. Not MindManager by any means, but perhaps a better investment, with index cards on the way?
H
Version 6 of Curio has just been released with some enhancements to the mind-map function. Not MindManager by any means, but perhaps a better investment, with index cards on the way?
H
Stephen Zeoli
9/10/2009 12:43 pm
Hugh wrote:
Steve
Version 6 of Curio has just been released with some enhancements to the
mind-map function. Not MindManager by any means, but perhaps a better investment,
with index cards on the way?
Hugh,
Funny you should suggest this. After I saw that the new Curio was out last night, I upgraded with exactly that thought in mind. The new table function looks quite handy. Index cards, when and if they arrive, will be a great addition, especially if they make it so you can associate a card with a mind map node.
Thank you and Lucas and Bernard for the feedback on my initial inquiry.
Steve
Lucas
9/16/2009 4:42 am
Lest I mislead anyone, I should clarify an inaccuracy in my post about MindManager for Mac (v. 7). I said that it imports Word outlines, but I don't think this is true. While MindManager for Windows interfaces nicely with Word, MindManager for Mac seems to be much more limited, although it has the advantage of reading and exporting OPML.